The following interview took place via email between Sierra Leonean singer and song writer, Kadrick, and Poda-Poda Stories’ associate editor, Charmaine Denison-George.
Charmaine: Kadrick: a little birdie tells me that you have a new single, John Obey coming out. Congratulations! What are the details? Do tell.
Kadrick: Thank you! You heard right! I’m loading everyone in the Poda-Poda and we’re going to John Obey!
There’s a saying that “when it’s nice, do it twice” so I’m actually releasing a 2-pack this Valentine’s Day, not just a single. The John Obey 2-pack has the lover’s version, (which is essentially the main cut) and an acoustic version (a more intimate and soulful cut). Both versions will be available at midnight on the 14th of February anywhere you stream your music.
Charmaine: We’re pleased to be on this trip with you to John Obey!
Locals know this beach to be pristine and less busy compared to Lumley beach, Baw Baw, Number 2, and others. Does John Obey beach have any sentimental value for you? What influenced your decision to situate your love song in this location? … and am I right to call it a love song?
Kadrick: It is definitely a love song, but not just in the regular romantic sense. The inspiration for the song also draws from platonic & familial love as well as self-love.
For nearly all my life, I’ve lived on Freetown’s peninsula so all the beaches you just mentioned are second homes to me. Last winter, I was really homesick and going through it. Nostalgia clogged my nostrils as I thought about the warm sands on which my friends and I would play ‘guinea-goal-one-touch’ for hours. As I went down memory lane, I found myself composing this love letter to the beach in my head.
I chose John Obey because it was somewhat a lighthouse of optimism amidst the wave of depression I was experiencing. My immediate family is no longer in Sierra Leone which makes it difficult to go back but my aunt has a lovely resort there and so I wanted to anchor the song somewhere I knew I had a future of going back to. Singing about going back to John Obey lifted my spirits!
Charmaine: Thank you for sharing that.
I like the idea of the track as a “lighthouse of optimism” or a balm of some sorts to nostalgia and life’s hardships. I think this is the fulfilling part of being an artist — the ability to mine experiences, memories and unique world views to create something impactful and original. It’s truly amazing.
Now, I won’t pretend to be an expert in musical jargons but how would you describe John Obey in terms of its overall sound and feel? How does it compare to your other songs?
Kadrick: I’m so glad you asked this! Something I’ve been really particular about — and excited for people to experience — is the texture of my new music. With John Obey, we created a lot of layers sonically that hopefully add dimension to your listening experience.
This is quite new for me because in previous years, the music I made was more hip-hop/rap where the focus was on WHAT I said. Since my last EP “OGYGIA” in October 2024, I began to do things differently as my advent of Afrobeats. This sort of prompted me to shift emphasis slightly now to HOW I deliver my truth.
I feel like my mood right now gives, “shut-up and dance” (loooool) and I thank God that John Obey makes me do exactly that — quiet down the thoughts and just let the rhythm lead my body in movement!
I would love to hear how YOU would describe what you heard, and how you felt listening perhaps? You don’t need jargon I’m sure you could tell me in a nutshell ahaha
Charmaine: On listening to it, I did feel the Afro beats and the “[get up] and dance” vibe you mentioned. I also thought it to be mellow and smooth.
Too, it may seem that you’re a prolific singer and song writer considering that your EP, OGYGIA was released just 4 months ago. What is your creative process like? When do you typically create and with what frequency? How do you actively manage your time to make room for your art?
Kadrick: To be honest, I don’t think I manage it well. To me that sounds like I’m in control and I don’t necessarily feel that way. I have various experiences everyday. For one, I’m alive and I often wonder why God has called me to any given moment. I can’t always make sense of it, but as soon I begin to write or compose something I find that my feelings are more controllable and my thoughts clearer. I try to make it a daily exercise so that the process remains ongoing. I may be reflecting or foreshadowing but at the appointed time, what I’ve written becomes relevant for the mood of expression I’m in. This means inconsistencies though - a lot of work some days, and little on other days … but I like to just remember that I am a vessel and act accordingly.
So I guess you could say my creative process is very “inshallah and vibes” ahahaha.
Charmaine: I guess in that, a singer and song writer is very much like the literary writer. There is a sort of diligence that an artist’s craft requires from them to produce meaningful work. An artist must therefore respond to their calling in whatever manner or with whatever frequency they can manage. Otherwise, they have nothing to show for their title.
You should be proud of the work you’re putting out Kadrick, amidst so many life variables.
What artist would you say is your biggest inspiration and who/what prevents you from quitting your artistic pursuits?
Kadrick:
I used to have influences like Show Dem Camp and J Cole who shaped my musical pursuit at first. Interestingly I don’t listen to as much music from the world anymore. Now (and I suspect even before I was cognizant) what motivates me to keep going is the love and talent around me! I have so many gifted friends and family and their courage to use their talents encourage me to do the same. Friends like Kwamah, Nyxx, Kaygee, and Amash (especially) in the contemporary scene exemplify that the reason we do all this is because we can. So why not?
I’m also grateful that my Jesus doesn’t let me waste the opportunity for any reason.
Charmaine: How does faith influence your music?
Kadrick: Quite strongly! I couldn’t do any of this without Jesus. He is my everything. The more I grow in understanding of that, the more I feel like it reflects in my music. It makes me more confident to try new things, and shields me from that hubris of a creative mind. Artists can have huge egos, understandably so because art involves a level of arrogance but at times that gets in the way. I believe all my abilities are God-given, so it empowers me to be limitless and purposeful in my execution.
Charmaine: Profound. Very well said.
... and how do you hope listeners react to your songs - John Obey particularly which is pending release as we chat? And how does it typically feel after you release a song, knowing that it is out in the world for consumption and no longer in your hands so-to-speak?
Kadrick: It’s more nerve-wracking right until the song drops. From then on, I feel very liberated and joyful. I don’t really worry about the vulnerability that comes with putting my songs out there - I want that! My hope is that anyone who listens to John Obey let’s love consume them like it did me even if only for that brief moment.
Give yourself more love, shake your body a little bit, and dance like no one’s watching. Smile at your reflection, hug your partner or go get some shawarmas with your friend maybe! I hope the song can just remind you of something to look forward to, and with that, a reason to keep going.